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Police seeking tips on 17 suspicious fires in Brantford

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A string of fires dating back to the beginning of the year in Brantford has set off an investigation and prompted police to ask for the public’s help to find out who is responsible.

Brantford police say they have reason to believe the fires are suspicious. The most recent one happened last week.

“I looked out my balcony window and there’s smoke just pouring down the ramp,” a resident of a Brantford apartment building told CTV News.

The recycling bin fire set at the location is one 17 across the city since Jan. 10, which police believe were deliberately set.

“You don’t feel too good about it,” the resident who spoke to CTV News on-camera but did not want to be named said. “It’s sickening really. Sickening.”

The incidents include basement fires, vehicle fires, barn fires and scrap wire set on fire.

It’s unclear if any of the incidents are connected, with police only saying all are considered suspicious.

Given the wide range of settings and locations, former OPP Commissioner and CTV public safety analyst Chris Lewis had this to say about a possible motive:

“It definitely tends to not support a specific cause like insurance or some sort of financial gain, but somebody more so looking for attention or just to cause grief in a community,” Lewis said.

Brantford police are asking for people who live or work near any of the fire locations to check their video surveillance, which may have captured suspicious activity or the suspects responsible.

“Arsons are never real easy to solve,” Lewis said. “I always found they’re one of the more difficult investigations to do because so often it’s hard to determine the exact cause.”

All of the fires were quickly controlled, resulting in minor damage.

In each case, nobody was hurt.

The incidents under investigation include:

  • Jan. 10 at 7:23 p.m. – Basement fire at 17 Dundas St. E
  • Jan. 13 at 1:10 a.m. – Porch fire at 18 Strathcona Ave.
  • Jan. 13 at 7:41 p.m. – Recycle bin fire at 109 Park Ave.
  • Jan. 16 at 9:38 p.m. – Barn fire at 400 Garden Ave.
  • Jan. 19 at 12:00 a.m. – Recycle bin fire 129 Wellington St.
  • Jan. 22 at 9:35 p.m. – Vehicle fire at 72 Craig St.
  • Jan. 30 at 9:28 a.m. – Garbage fire at 274 Colbourne St.
  • Feb. 27 at 3:03 a.m. – Trailer fire at 521 Elgin St.
  • Feb. 27 at 7:23 a.m. – Trailer fire at 433 West St.
  • March 16 at 9:10 p.m. - Basement fire at 95 Wood St.
  • March 25 at 7:45 p.m. – Vehicle fire on Park Rd. N.
  • April 7 at 12:06 a.m. – Scrap wire fire at 37 Morton Ave. E.
  • April 14 at 10:18 a.m. – Scrap wire fire at 46 Morton Ave. E
  • April 18 at 3:51 a.m. – Garbage fire at 44 Raleigh St.
  • April 18 at 3:52 a.m. – Garbage fire at 247 Colbourne St. W.
  • April 21 at 5:03 a.m. – Vehicle fire at 4 Margaret Dr.
  • April 21 at 5:23 a.m. – Vehicle fire at 87 Herbert St.

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